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5 month old and solids

ok so my daughter is 5 months and nurses almost all night she get nurses at least 6 times because she sleeps with me but it feels like she nurses constantly during the night and i was wondering if it would be ok to give her solids all day except for when she is ready for a nap or just want milk? i know she is getting enough milk so that just why i was wondering?

what do you mean all day? you could give baby food unless shes sitting up on her own stage 1 foods and that would be 3 times a day breakfast lunch dinner...but to start out if your not feeding that much now just give her some for dinner before nursing and she should be full for the night and probably sleep all night

Answer by
Anonymous
at 11:23 PM on Feb. 18, 2010

You should still nurse her during the day in addition to solids (whenever you decide to introduce them). The milk at night should not be the only milk she gets in a 24 hr period. Is that what you're asking?

The research shows benefits to exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, but I know people who start solids sooner because their babies are interested. I agree with the above PPs, even if you start solids, keep giving her mostly breast milk at this point.

Keep in mind that solids fed to babies before they turn 1 are for the experience of eating them, not for nutrition (a subject most doctors know little about).Solids don't help babies sleep; only time will do this.

Nutritionists recommend starting solids at 6 months; many now recommend skipping cereal and starting with a bit of avocado mashed with breastmilk (or formula). Then baked sweet potato, oatmeal, pumpkin, pureed peas, etc. Jarred baby food tastes awful, is expensive, and you never really know what is in it. Be sure to avoid the allergy trigger foods. This is not a complete list: before age 1, no soy, dairy, wheat, citrus, egg white, strawberries; before age 2 no honey, chocolate, nuts.
Two great books /websites on feeding babies, with differing philosophies, Baby Led Weaning www.babyledweaning.com and Super Baby Food www.superbabyfood.com You should be able to find them at your local library

Nothing but breastmilk for the first 6 months. I'll tell you right now that if you think starting the solids during the day will help her to sleep more at night, IT WON'T!!! Many studies have proven this. Check out Why Delay Solids